Match Preview: West Brom vs Liverpool

All eyes will be on Roy Hodgson as he invites former club Liverpool to face his West Brom side.

After a shaky start Kenny Dalglish's men are gaining momentum, winning four of their last six in the league as they look to continue their push for a Europa League place.

In contrast Hodgson and the Baggies are desperate to keep their heads above water in a crowded bottom half, sitting 16th and just a single point off the drop zone.

The reverse fixture in August serves as an indication of just how much has changed at both clubs this season, with Hodgson's Liverpool beating Roberto Di Matteo's Baggies 1-0 courtesy of a Fernando Torres strike.

Hodgson has relatively few injury worries ahead of the game, despite long-term absentee Pablo Ibanez still sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Baggies are still without the influential Graham Dorrans in the centre of the park as the Scot continues his struggle to shake off an ankle injury.

The manager admitted he is unhappy with the Mexican national team for subjecting striker Carlos Vela to a 12,000-mile round trip during the recent international break, despite barely playing the youngster.

Dalglish will have a number of selection decisions to make, with Steven Gerrard returning to full training following groin surgery.

Although a start for the skipper is unlikely, one man who will look to feature is Luis Suarez, the striker handing his team a huge boost by returning from a groin injury that saw him sit out the international break.

Right-back Martin Kelly had looked in contention for a place in the team but suffered a setback in training following his return from a hamstring injury.

Possible starting XIs:

West Brom: Carson, Shorey, Scharner, Meite, Olsson, Reid, Thomas, Morrison, Brunt, Mulumbu, Odemwingie.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Meireles, Spearing, Lucas, Kuyt, Suarez, Carroll.

Roy Hodgson Says Kenny Dalglish Must Be Permanent Anfield Manager

Roy Hodgson says Liverpool owner John Henry must confirm Kenny Dalglish as his permanent successor, warning that it would be very difficult for another manager to do the job now that the club’s supporters have backed the Scotsman so emphatically.

“The fans want him to have the job,” Hodgson said. “He has the backing of the fans, and the fans are very, very important in football.

"If they don’t give him the job now, it will be very difficult for the next man who gets it, because the fans want him to have it.

“I knew it from the day I walked into the club, because Kenny had made it clear he wanted the job. The job was there, I was offered it, I knew the risk, the potential problems that could arise, and I don’t harbour any regrets or any resentment.”

Hodgson, who was sacked by Liverpool in January, said he would welcome Dalglish to the Hawthorns on Saturday for their league fixture, and would be happy to share a handshake and drink after the match.

But the West Bromwich Albion manager explained that he believed his chances of being successful at Liverpool were always slim once Dalglish had expressed an interest in his job.

“It is difficult to compete with icons. I went to the right club, but perhaps I didn’t arrive at the right time. Kenny made it clear he wanted the job, but the people who were making the decisions at that time decided to go for me.

"It left Kenny in a difficult position because he wanted the job, and when things didn’t go well, having him in the background wasn’t easy. It wouldn’t have been easy for any coach.”

For his part, Dalglish contests the suggestion that he undermined Hodgson. The 60 year-old, who did apply for the job when Rafael Benítez left, insisted that he had been nothing but supportive during a difficult period for both men.

“I had a good, close relationship with Roy when he was here and that is on record,” Dalglish said.

“I’ve always been here to help the football club, and the most important person at the club is the guy in charge, and that guy always maintains the respect of the people at the club.

"The guy who sits in the chair is the most important one and the one who always gets the support.”

Asked in what light he believes Liverpool fans will remember Hodgson, Dalglish said: “Everybody has their own opinions on what happened and their own opinions on individuals, so they will have their own feelings and respect.

"No Liverpool fan wishes bad on anybody.”

Since Hodgson was sacked, Liverpool have sold striker Fernando Torres to Chelsea and brought in Andy Carroll and Luis Suárez for £58 million – both targets of Hodgson’s.

Hodgson said: “Liverpool have got two outstanding front players who are raring to go. Carroll and Suárez, who I scouted, were on a list of players we were considering.

“Carroll was the most wanted striker in English football and Suárez was on everyone’s list after the World Cup and his time at Ajax.”

International Break Does Liverpool Good

Liverpool face former manager Roy Hodgson's team West Bromwich Albion today confident that the international break has been good for the Anfield club in several ways

Striker Andy Carroll scored his first England goal in the friendly against Ghana on Tuesday night, while none of the players who played for their countries reported any injuries on their return. It also gave injured captain Steven Gerrard time to recover from groin surgery and put himself into contention.

However, defender Martin Kelly has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring problem with Fabio Aurelio also making slow progress from a similar injury.

"You have to look at each one individually to see if it has done them good or bad," said manager Kenny Dalglish.

"For ourselves we have tried to get people back to fitness so it is a bit of 50-50 success rate on that. It has been almost two weeks between games but for us we were delighted with the way they played at Sunderland and so will they have been."

McCarthy Accepts Liverpool Target Jarvis Likely To Leave

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy admits they face a battle keeping Matt Jarvis.

The Wolves winger is already being tipped for a £10million summer move to Liverpool.

Jarvis signed a five-year deal at Molineux earlier this season and his value has soared after outstanding displays in a relegation-threatened side.

McCarthy said: "Let's be adults. There are certain scenarios you can't stop.

"Jarvo's done nearly five years here and has been wonderful for us.

"But if a top-four club comes in and offers unbelievable amounts of money, it becomes very difficult.

"I know there's a lot of interest in him from talking to some of the top managers.

"There's no suggestion he or anyone else is for sale, but who thought Torres and Carroll would go?"

Jovanovic Set For Anfield Exit?

Liverpool winger Milan Jovanovic admits a return to Serbian football is highly unlikely despite being linked with a move to Red Star Belgrade.

The 29-year-old has struggled for game time on Merseyside after arriving on a free transfer from Standard Liege last European summer.

He has made just two appearances under Kenny Dalglish and five starts all season.

Jovanovic hasn't ruled out a move away from the club but will look elsewhere before a return to his home country.

Jovanovic told Mondo: "I'm not the one who started this story.

"Yes, you can never know what the future will bring you and I have never said that I will not return home someday.

"But than again we have to look at the reality of Serbian football.

"At this moment there are just minimal chances for me to return to Serbia, for at least the next two years.

"I have full respect for Red Star, who are probably the biggest brand in our football, and I have a lot of friends in that club.

"But Vojvodina are still the only club for which I have played in Serbia so I'm still foremost a fan of Vojvodina."

Liverpool In Race To Sign Portuguese International Rolando, Claims Agent

Liverpool have been confirmed in the race to sign Portuguese defender Rolando.

The 25-year-old Porto centre back has previously been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League, and now agent Peppino Tirri has suggested that Liverpool have competition from Manchester United as well as two sides from Italy.

"There is also Manchester United and Liverpool following the player," Tirri told Notiziariosportivo.com after claiming both Juventus and Inter Milan were tracking the player.

"His cost? Around €15 million. I think something could move towards the end of the month, now the clubs are focused on the championship and the Champions League."

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has hinted at a number of player changes in the summer, with the Anfield chief looking to put his own stamp on the side should he decide to stay at Anfield permanently.

The Merseysiders are also thought to have targeted both a left back and winger in their efforts to bolster the squad in several core positions, with Sport.co.uk claiming Dalglish is keen to add defensive reinforcements at Liverpool.

Signed from Belenenses by Porto back in 2008, Rolando has made over 100 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese Liga outfit, and has been a figure of consistency at the Estádio do Dragão.

A regular member of the national side for Portugal, a transfer tussle could ensue for the player's signature this summer.

Connor Wickham Is For Sale To Liverpool Or Spurs, Says Paul Jewell

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell appears to have resigned himself to losing hot prospect Connor Wickham to either Spurs or Liverpool in the summer.

Tottenham and Liverpool are reportedly leading the race for the £15 million-rated striker, who turned 18 on Thursday.

Jewell said: 'I am hopeful he will stay but, let's be honest, we are all at the mercy of the big clubs.

'If Liverpool or Tottenham come in with money that is going to help us plough back into the team – silly money if you like – we have to listen to it.'

The former Wigan manager believes it would be better for Wickham's development if he stayed with the Tractor Boys.

But he pointed out that the England Under-21 international would not be leaving on the cheap as Ipswich do not need to sell.

Wickham has made 66 appearances and scored 11 goals for Ipswich, since he became the club's youngest ever debutant when he appeared at the age of 16 years and 11 days in 2009.

Liverpool Commercially Hot With Or Without Europe

Liverpool can count on their heritage to seal big sponsorship deals even if they are not playing in Europe next season, the Premier League club's managing director Ian Ayre said on Thursday.

The five-times European champions, who share the record of 18 English league titles with Manchester United, are in danger of missing out on continental club competition if a revival in their league form does not repair a bad start to the campaign.

With clubs seeking to increase revenues ahead of new financial rules from UEFA to ensure they break even, playing in the lucrative Champions League or Europa League can help but Ayre said in Liverpool's case it may not be essential.

"If you invest in Liverpool Football Club you are not investing in this season, this player or this result," Ayre told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the Soccerex European forum in Manchester.

"You are investing in the institution that is Liverpool Football Club, that is over 100 years of football, which is England's most successful football club still.

"One of the reasons that we're one of the most supported clubs in the world is the success we had many years ago. People believe still and they invest still and they love Liverpool still.

That's what people are investing in, they are not investing in how we perform next week or next year."

Ayre, promoted earlier this month from commercial director, said the club were focusing on increasing their global presence commercially and that "significant revenue" could come from a naming rights deal if they moved to a new stadium.

Since being taken over by American John W. Henry's New England Sports Ventures last October, the club has been considering whether to push ahead with a previous plan to build a new stadium or to expand their existing Anfield ground.

"We're exploring naming rights as a proposition to look at the economic model for a new stadium so that in theory would be the next big deal in that type of sponsorship area," said Ayre.

Ayre, 47, understands as well as anyone what sponsors are buying into at the club having grown up as a Liverpool supporter who used to mind cars for Everton fans on matchdays to save up money so he could buy tickets to watch his own team play.

In those days, Liverpool were enjoying some of their best years but Kenny Dalglish's side are now in sixth place, needing to finish fifth to guarantee a Europa League spot. They trail Tottenham Hotspur by four points having played a game more.

Even if they made it up to fifth, it would still be the second year in row that they miss out on the Champions League.

Not that their main sponsors are worried about that.

"The Champions League is not that important to us because it happens at a time most of Asia is fast asleep," Gavin Laws, group head of corporate affairs at Standard Chartered, told delegates earlier on Thursday.

The bank, which does much of its business in Asia, signed a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with Liverpool in 2009 worth a reported 80 million pounds.

"People don't get up in the morning to watch a whole game," Laws added. "They see the result and they might just skim through and see the goals."

Reds Honour Local Youngsters

It's not been uncommon to see silverware dished out at Anfield over the years - and it was no different on Thursday night as 48 local kids were honoured in Liverpool Football Club's annual Young Person of the Year awards.

More than 200 guests, including first-team stars Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing, attended the special ceremony in the Shankly Suite to witness the club reward the outstanding achievements of young people in the city.

In its 10th year, the awards recognize youngsters who have excelled in the following categories -

* Courage - overcame a disadvantage, illness or produced an act of bravery.

* Compassion - displayed loving kindness towards others.

* Caring - cared for a parent, relative, neighbour or pupil.

* Community - helped out in the community.

The youngsters were nominated by schools in the Anfield/Breckfield area, the club's SweeperZone groups, local community centres and youngsters participating in LFC's range of community and family projects.

The awards handed out by Shelvey and Spearing included Schools Special achievement, Sweeper Zone, Kickz, Respect 4 All, Goals for Girls and the Jack Carley award for courage.

It was then on to Liverpool's new Managing Director Ian Ayre to announce the winners of the four Young Person of the Year awards, which went to Kayleigh Fry, Nicolas Fielding, Chelsea Inman and Karl Christopherson.

Ayre said: "These awards recognize the valuable contribution young people make to their families, communities and to society as a whole.

"The Club has hosted these worthwhile awards for the last 10 years and is delighted to be involved with exceptional local young people."

As well as being handed a photo and autograph opportunity with Liverpool players, those in attendance were treated to a slap-up meal, live music and dancing.

Local Councillor Brian Dowling added: "I am delighted to support these achievements by our young people who are so critical to society's future success be it in business, community, sport or politics."

Liverpool To Sell Seven To Help Fund £30m Summer Spending Spree

Liverpool are preparing a clear-out as the Anfield side looks to generate funds for significant signings this summer. Kenny Daglish and director of football Damien Comolli have reportedly been considering which players in the club’s squad they are willing to offload and perhaps unsurprisingly a number of those are players brought in by Roy Hodgson.

Milan Jovanovic has failed to make an impact at the club and will be allowed to leave should a decent offer come in for the Serbian who is being chased by a string of Bundesliga sides. Philipp Degen is currently on loan at Stuttgart and the signs are that the Swiss international is unlikely to return to Liverpool.

Paul Konchesky has had a dire time at Liverpool and was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest where he has proved a success and there is talk that Fulham may be interested in buying the 29 year old back and given that he cost the Merseyside club nothing in the first place it could take as little as £1.5m to take the defender back to Craven Cottage.

Christian Poulsen came in for a torrid time during the Hodgson reign and has barely featured since Kenny Dalglish arrived on the scene and the defensive midfielder will be offered at a reduced price of around £3-4m and there is reported interest from some Serie A sides including from Genoa and Cagliari.

Emiliano Insua is also very much up for sale and looked likely to join Fiorentina last summer until the deal stalled but a move to Florence may be back on although the Argentine may seek to stay at Galatasaray where he is currently in the middle of a loan spell.

Alberto Aquilani is having a great season at Juventus and has fought his way back into the Italian national team set-up but the Turin side are unwilling to pay the £15m that Liverpool are demanding, although the 26 year old has stated that he would be open to a return back to England the signs are that there are a number of other Serie A sides who may well be willing to pay the asking price.

Finally Joe Cole stands on something of a precipice. Dalglish is keen to give the former Chelsea man a chance to prove himself and the England international has not really had a run of games to show the Liverpool boss what he has to offer. There is apparently a queue of clubs who would jump at the chance to sign the attacking midfielder with West Ham and Everton apparently willing to take the 29 year old on if he is indeed offloaded.

City Winger Would 'Consider' Possible Liverpool Move

Manchester City winger Adam Johnson would consider a move from Eastlands, with Liverpool keen to sign the England international.

The 23-year-old has recently returned from a long-term ankle injury, but with high competition for places at City, will have few opportunities to impress.

Furthermore the former Middlesborough winger will be looking to get back in Fabio Capello's England squad, which he was left out of for the double header against Wales and Ghana, and Liverpool could offer a way out for Johnson.

"Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider it," Johnson told the Sun.

Kenny Dalglish is expected to make a winger his top priority in the summer transfer window, as the Liverpool boss searches for a player a genuine crossing ability to provide service to new signing Andy Carroll.

Liverpool's search for a winger has seen them linked with Ashley Young, Charlie Adam and Eden Hazard, but with Johnson deprived of first-team football at City, unlike the aforementioned trio at their respective clubs, the Englishman could soon be on his way to Anfield.

Star Centre Back Open To Liverpool Deal

Werder Bremen have indicated they are willing to sell German star Per Mertesacker in the summer transfer period, with the center back reportedly considering and offer from Liverpool.

The Liverpool website is reporting that Mertesacker is out of contract in 2012, and Werder Bremen are looking at this summer as a good opportunity to sell the 26 year old for a large amount of money.

Mertesacker has openly discussed a desire to move from German football to the Barclays Premier League.

And in a large indication that Mertesacker has an agreement forming to leave Werder Bremen and possibly head to Liverpool, Bremen boss Klaus Allofs has told BILD they are looking at offers.

"If you are not going to hand out an extension to an outrunning contract then you need to know all the possibilities available to you,” he said.

"I am unable to just look after the money, I am also unable to just look after the sport factor.

"As soon as we are aware of our fate in Bundesliga this spring, we are going to clarify if we are able to sign extensions to these contracts."

Werder Bremen currently sits at 12th on the Bundesliga table, and are only five points shy of the relegation zone. Should Bremen be relegated, Mertesacker will be far more likely to come around to the prospect of heading to England for Liverpool, who may be able to offer games in Europe if they qualify this season.

Allofs knows that discussions will be taking place about the centre back’s future, and that should Liverpool come knocking in summer, their budget will be hard to refuse.

"We will be in talks, that is for sure,” he said.

Liverpool Enter Race For £22m Brazilian Star

Liverpool will challenge fellow Premiership rivals Chelsea and La Liga giants Barcelona for the signature of Shakhtar Donetsk's Willian according to reports in the Daily Mail.

The Brazilian midfielder has caught the attention of a number of top clubs around Europe after some impressive performances in this season’s Champions League.

Since Willian moved to the Ukrainian side from Corinthians in 2007 he has made 136 appearances and scored 20 times in all competitions and this season the midfielder has made 17 appearances and netted four times.

His performances have but him on Liverpool's radar with director of football Damien Comolli keen to bring the 22-year-old to Anfield in the summer and the club has already spoken to Shakhtar about the player.

The Merseyside club is currently sixth in the Premier League and is looking to get back into the coveted Champions League places.

Having already acquired the services of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez after a £57million spend spree on the last day of the January transfer window, Kop boss Kenny Dalglish is set to add further additions to his squad in the summer with Willian high on the list.

Shakhtar take on Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday and Liverpool scouts will be out in Barcelona watching the Brazilian's performance.

The Ukrainian side won't be letting one of their star players leave on the cheap and will be looking for around £22m for the player but could make more with a bidding war between the three interest clubs.

Real Sociedad's Xabi Prieto Dismisses Liverpool Link

Real Sociedad midfielder Xabi Prieto has rubbished reports that he could be on his way to Liverpool in the summer for as much as £10 million.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire career with the Basque side and apparently has no desire to make a move away from a club that he holds dear to his heart.

He told the Spanish newspaper AS: "There is nothing to what has been published.

"Liverpool is a very good team, but I've always said I'm happy here."

Prieto has never appeared for the full Spanish national team, but did turn out for the under-21 side earlier in his career.

Dalglish Cautious Over Gerrard Return

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has revealed Steven Gerrard has almost completed his recovery after groin surgery, but he will wait and see whether the club captain will face West Brom on Saturday.

Dalglish believes Gerrard could play in the match after participating in much of training this week, but will not take any risks - as he believes there are players in the squad more than capable of deputizing for at least another week.

"We'll have a look. He's recovered really well from the surgery he had so we'll see how he is before we decide whether he's in or out," Dalglish said. "He's certainly done a lot of training this week - not all the training the other lads have done, but a lot of it.

"But two weekends ago at Sunderland wee Jay [Spearing] played really well. There is no need for us to be in a rush to bring Steven back."

Dalglish was relieved to see all his players return from international duty without picking up injuries. However, he did reveal Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio have suffered slight setbacks that could well keep them out of action at the weekend.

"Everyone has come back from international matches okay," Dalglish said. "Martin Kelly picked up an injury while he was trying to recuperate and Jonjo Shelvey is back training. Kelly has just had a wee recurrence in the same area. Fabio Aurelio has had a setback as well but it isn't the same injury. He should be training before the end of the week."

Club record signing Andy Carroll opened his goalscoring account for England in midweek, an achievement Dalglish believes the 22-year-old can rightfully be proud of. The Scot also paid tribute to Fabio Capello's handling of the Liverpool players he picked for both of the Three Lions' games.

"It's a great milestone for Andy to score his first goal, especially at Wembley," he said. "It's a great reward for him as well after his recuperation. It will give him a lift, kick him on further and it's a great reflection of how he's got on with his work and how our medical team has worked to get him there.

"The 60 minutes he got for England was very helpful in his recuperation and his fight to get back to full fitness. The way England treated our players was fantastic: the way they gave Andy the hour because they knew it wouldn't be beneficial to play him longer, and the way they gave Glen Johnson 45 minutes because he had a slight problem with his Achilles. They were very professional and respectful with the way they treated both of our players."

Dalglish admitted Liverpool are still working out how best to utilise Carroll tactically - especially the frequency of long balls played up to him.

"Sometimes when you're struggling a wee bit it's a great asset to have but we've got to pick and choose our moments," he noted. "It's up to us to get to know Andy, and Andy to get to know us. I don't think we've done too badly in the game and a bit he's played for us. We were better the second time than we were the first.

"We've got intelligent lads here and I'm sure they'll work out when's right and when's wrong and they'll get it right most of the time."

Dalglish Defends Carroll

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has laughed off claims Andy Carroll needs to control his drinking habits and says the player knows how to handle himself.

England boss Fabio Capello publicly warned Carroll, who scored his first goal for the Three Lions in the draw with Ghana, to cut down on his drinking.

Dalglish has brushed off the advice from Capello and defended the January signing from Newcastle for the way he has conducted himself since arriving at Anfield.

"Well he's never bought me a drink," said Dalglish. "I've been with him at Boyzone concerts and he's still never bought me a drink!

"Andy Carroll knows what is required of Andy Carroll, and he's done fantastically well getting back to where he has, with his application and dedication.

"Whatever Andy has done, he has done it very well, and somebody else's opinion is up to them. But he cannot be criticized in any way, shape or form for what he has done since he has been here.

"He's done really well to get where he is, so I think Andy is focused on his football."

England Joy For Sterling

There was joy for Raheem Sterling and Brad Smith as they helped England reach the finals of the UEFA U17 Championships after a brilliant 2-1 win over Spain on Thursday night.

The Academy duo played the full 90 minutes, while teammates Adam Morgan and Matty Regan were unused substitutes.

Spain only needed a point to secure qualification, but needing a victory John Peacock's side rose to the occasion and got the vital win.

Nathan Redmond and Adam Jackson netted for England but Sterling and Smith were impressive throughout the game.

England will now join seven other countries, split over two groups of four, in the Finals in Serbia.

The top three countries in each group will then go on to qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup which is being held in Mexico later this year.

It is a great end to a fantastic week for the Academy's starlets after David Moli was earlier on the mark for England U16s as they beat Scotland 2-1 to clinch the Victory Shield.

Moli netted past his Liverpool Academy teammate Ryan Crump who was in goal for Scotland.

Standard Chartered Want Asian Stars At Anfield

Liverpool shirt sponsors Standard Chartered are hoping the club signs up an Asian star to boost commercial opportunities in the Far East.

Gavin Laws, head of corporate affairs at Standard Chartered, hailed the impact of Manchester United’s South Korean international Park Ji-sung in the region and believes signing a similar talent would be an ideal way for the Reds to connect with the Asian market.

“The real power for what Liverpool could do for us, and I think for the English Premier League, is if there was a way they could nurture foreign players from Asia ... a great Asian player - you see what Park Ji-sung does for Manchester United,” he said.

“The markets in Asia and the Middle East are so nationalistic, they are very proud about their countries. One appearance from a player, say from Dubai in the Premier League, and you’d have the whole of Dubai watching it.”

Laws wants to see Kenny Dalglish signed up as the Reds’ permanent manager.

He said: “I’d like to see Kenny as the long term manager - I’m sure the club would. They are going to be talking to him if they aren’t talking to him already.

“The Kenny magic is all around the world, everybody believes Kenny can take the club (forward) and that means they stay focused and that means they stay in the newspapers around the world... we are looking for brand awareness.”

Liverpool Actively Seeking Stadium Naming Rights Deal

Liverpool's newly-appointed managing director Ian Ayre has revealed the club are actively seeking stadium naming rights partners should they move to a new stadium.

The club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have made clear that boosting Liverpool's gate receipts through an increased capacity is central to their plans to restore the side to former glories. They have yet to make any official decision on whether that will be achieved through building a new stadium or redeveloping their current home.

Speaking at the SoccerEx forum in Manchester today, Ayre said the club is seeking naming rights partners should they move to a new stadium. However, the club is keen to stress that their current home would not be renamed should they stay put.

Arsenal earned £100 million for a 15-year naming rights deal with the airline Emirates, though that also included an eight-year shirt sponsorship clause.

Liverpool see the sphere as one the club needs to exploit if they are to make ground on Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in terms of off-pitch income.

Reds Face Battle For Striker Signature

Tottenham have jumped ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign Ipswich striker Conner Wickham who is valued at around £15m.

The 18-year-old has attracted attention from many of the big clubs, and the Reds were thought to be the favourites for his signature but the arrival of Andy Carroll at Anfield appears to have cooled their interest.

Harry Redknapp is now ready to nip in and land the striker beating off interest from Arsenal and Manchester United in the process.

Spurs are aided by the fact that assistant academy boss Bryan Klug knows Wickham from his days at Portman Road and the player himself has already stated he wants to play at the highest level and apparently expects to be moving in the summer.